Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of oxovanadium (IV) complexes with cyclic polyalcohols

Oxovanadium (IV) complexes of the cyclic polyols conduritol C (cond) and myo-inositol (inos) of stoichiometry Na2[VO(cond)2] · 2H2O and Na2[VO(inos)2] · H2O were obtained in aqueous alkaline solutions. They were characterized by infrared and UV–Vis spectroscopies, thermoanalytical (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) data and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The biological activities of the complexes on the proliferation, differentiation and glucose consumption were tested on osteoblast-like cells in culture. Conduritol C and myo-inositol did not produce any effect on these parameters. Normal and tumoral cell proliferation was inhibited about (ca.40–60%) by the two oxovanadium (IV) complexes in concentrations as low as 100 μM. The complexes were also inhibitory on cell differentiation (ca. 70–80%) while they stimulate glucose consumption. Comparisons of these effects with those of the oxovanadium (IV) cation, under the same experimental conditions, were also performed.